For example, テーブルの上うえの 本ほん means the book on the table. Here, 上 shows the meaning of position, and the particle の connects the words to describe the book.

Meanwhile, 本ほんを テーブルの上うえに 置おいた means I put a book on the table. Here, に connects the place to the verb “put.” The particle changes the role of the word 上 without changing its core meaning. In Japanese, the meaning stays in words like 上, and particles change how those words function in the sentence.